Treatment Strategy and Research Progress of Immune Microenvironment for Liver Metastasis of Non-small Cell Lung Cancer

Abstract

Liver is the common site for metastasis and spread of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Lung cancer patients with liver metastasis have poor prognosis, which may be related to liver-specific microenvironment composition. The metastasis of lung cancer to the liver is regulated by various pathophysiological factors, including the liver immune microenvironment, related cells, proteins, signaling molecules, and gene changes. These factors will affect the consistent disease process and subsequent treatment strategies. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have made breakthroughs in treatment of patients with advanced NSCLC. However, NSCLC patients with liver metastasis, a unique population of advanced lung cancer, are characterized by poor immunotherapeutic effect. This paper reviews the related mechanisms of the immune microenvironment in affecting the occurrence and development of liver metastases and summarizes the achievements and prospects of anti-tumor immunotherapy in liver metastases of NSCLC.

Keywords

• non-small cell lung cancer
• liver metastasis
• immunotherapy
• immune microenvironment